ZMF, AMSZ sign strategic deal
ROBIN PHIRI
The Zimbabwe Miners Federation (ZMF) and the Association of Mining Surveyors of Zimbabwe (AMSZ) have signed a strategic agreement aimed at strengthening cooperation between the m .kining industry and the surveying profession—a move set to transform the country’s mining landscape.
The Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) is a direct response to General Notice 1 of 2025, which mandates all mining title holders to submit accurate surveyed coordinates for their claims, effective July 1, 2025. The directive forms part of the government’s broader strategy to implement the Mining Cadastral Information Management System, a digital platform designed to enhance precision and transparency in the demarcation of mining title boundaries.
ZMF Chief Executive Officer Wellington Takavarasha said the partnership would expand access to professional mine survey services, ensure fair and transparent tariff structures, and provide miners with Differential Global Positioning System (DGPS) equipment sourced by the federation.
“We encourage all miners to work exclusively with those registered under the Association of Mining Surveyors of Zimbabwe to benefit from the agreed concessional rates and tariffs, which will be communicated to you soon. The Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) is a direct response to General Notice 1 of 2025, which requires all mining title holders to submit accurate surveyed coordinates for their claims effective from July 1. This new system, part of the Mining Cadastral Information Management System, aims to enhance the accuracy and reliability of mining title boundaries,” said Takavarasha.
The initiative is expected to significantly boost mineral output by resolving longstanding boundary disputes that have plagued mining operations across various regions. By formalising claims and accurately demarcating boundaries, mining operations are expected to become more efficient, compliant, and productive.
“Some disputes have been going on for more than two years. But when you talk about the introduction of this cadastral system, it’s put onto the actual site that you are supposed to be allocated. The moment you submit papers for registration at the Ministry of Mining and Development, that is the area that will belong to you. Even if the licence comes later, after three months or six months, the place that you were located on the day of registration—it remains that particular area. So, we are also looking at issues to do with formalisation,” Takavarasha explained.
He further revealed that 84% of miners in Zimbabwe operate informally, and said the ZMF is working closely with the Ministry of Mines and Mining Development to craft a formalisation framework. A new reference document—called the “zero point”—is being developed to guide the formalisation process.
AMSZ President Stewart Gumbi underscored the critical importance of the partnership, especially for artisanal, small-scale, and medium-scale miners, who have historically struggled to access professional mine surveying services.
“The partnership with the Zimbabwe Miners Federation supports access for artisanal, small-scale, and medium-scale miners to credible mine surveying services which they critically need for compliance, for formalization processes, and for meeting investor requirements such as banks and other public or private sector investors or partners,” Gumbi said.
He emphasized that extending these services to underserved miners would contribute to the broader growth of Zimbabwe’s mining sector and improve investor confidence.
“It also supports the growth of this sector in the overall mining industry as a whole because mining is one of the most significant economic drivers in Zimbabwe. Our artisanal, small-scale and medium-scale miners contributed about 65% of gold output in 2024. Supporting these miners directly translates to national and economic growth. Our miners possess great potential to grow from small to medium-scale and from medium-scale to ultimately becoming large-scale operators. This is why we are agreeing to support this initiative.”
Under the terms of the MoU, AMSZ will offer a suite of professional services including mine boundary surveys, surveying measurements, and the production of statutory mine plans to ensure mining operations are legally compliant and technically sound.
Although no fixed deadline has been set for compliance, miners are strongly urged to submit their surveyed coordinates promptly to avoid the risk of losing their mining claims. Authorities have made it clear that the cadastral system is not a “witch-hunting” exercise, but a compliance and development strategy rooted in global best practices.
The partnership is poised to play a crucial role in Zimbabwe’s ambitions to become an upper-middle-income economy by 2030, as the mining sector continues to anchor economic recovery and growth. Increased formalisation, better resource governance, and improved transparency are seen as key enablers of this national vision.
“We want our mining sector to grow through our ZMF. And lastly, it also supports the improvement in national oil and mineral accounting and reconciliation processes in line with globally acceptable international best practices,” Takavarasha added.
As Zimbabwe pushes to position its mining industry as the cornerstone of economic development, this collaboration is expected to yield long-term benefits—not only for miners—but for the wider economy.
